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England together with their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in Australia. They are joined in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw recalls their famous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock group stage elimination.

Key Group Pairings

The Irish and Scotland also share a pool together, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they secured a convincing victory, with their opponents failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each impressed as underdogs in France, complete that same group.

Significantly, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet holders and top-ranked the Springboks before the final, assuming the South Africans top their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

If the pools play out according to the current global standings, other top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of England and the Irish all the way to the final.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the other top-ranked nation on that half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Draw Major Fixture

Hosts Australia find themselves alongside their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at launch the competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and Romania. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who competed in 2023.

This edition will introduce a last-16 stage for the very first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

Although the victor of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – probably the Italians – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six pool winners will face a team that finished third from the pool stages.

RWC 2027 Groups

Pool A

• New Zealand
• Australia
• Chile
• Hong Kong

Pool B

• South Africa
• Italy
• Georgia
• Romania

Pool C

• Argentina
• Fiji
• Spain
• Canada

Pool D

• Ireland
• Scotland
• Uruguay
• Portugal

Pool E

• France
• Japan
• USA
• Samoa

Pool F

• England
• Wales
• Tonga
• Zimbabwe